Unassuming Places in New York City's Manhattan and Astoria

This book of 72 duotone black-and-white photographs of New York City comprises images from Saldinger's walks and bus, subway, and taxi rides in Manhattan and Astoria. Thirty-five of the photographs include people, thirty-seven do not. Some of the photographs that include people reveal their emotional states or allow a viewer latitude in their interpretation. But people also appear in images that may not be felt to have striking human content; these images contain only fragments of...
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This book of 72 duotone black-and-white photographs of New York City comprises images from Saldinger's walks and bus, subway, and taxi rides in Manhattan and Astoria. Thirty-five of the photographs include people, thirty-seven do not. Some of the photographs that include people reveal their emotional states or allow a viewer latitude in their interpretation. But people also appear in images that may not be felt to have striking human content; these images contain only fragments of figures that serve as elements of the overall composition. The impact of the photographs that do not include people comes from the visual distinction that Saldinger seeks in familiar subjects including -- to name just a few -- bakeries, building facades, bus stops, coffee shops, crosswalks, food carts, subway stations, and views through shop windows. An attribute shared by all the images is their attempt to achieve timelessness. This is done by the intentional absence of mobile phones and other portable computer devices; of identifiable motor vehicles; and of easily dated clothing or other elements of personal style.